Pars Planitis

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Pars Planitis is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Although pars planitis is generally benign, there can be significant vision loss in extreme cases. It is an immunological disorder of the eye characterized by inflammation of a part of the uvea, the layer of tissue between the sclera and the retina, the membranes protecting the eyeball. The uvea, in turn, is made up of three portions: the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. In addition, the uvea contains many of the blood vessels that supply the eye.

The pars plana is a narrow section of the ciliary body, inflammation of which is known as pars planitis. In association with the inflammation or immunological response, fluid and cells infiltrate the clear gelatin-like substance (vitreous humor) of the eyeball, near the retina and/or pars plana. As a result, swelling of the eye or eyes can also occur, but more importantly blurred vision and progressive increase in the vision of floaters is reported as main symptoms by patients suffering this condition as a result of the infiltration of the vitreous humor.

The inflammation occurs in the intermediate zone of the eye; that is, between the anterior part(s) of the eye (iris) and the posterior part(s), the retina and/or choroid. It has therefore been designated as one of the diseases of a family of intermediate uveitis.

In some cases, the disturbance of vision may be slightly progressive.

Supporting Organizations

American Autoimmune & Related Diseases

22100 Gratiot Ave.

Eastpointe, MI 48021

Tel: (586)776-3900

Fax: (586)776-3903

Tel: (800)598-4668

Email: aarda@aarda.org

Website: http://www.aarda.org/

Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.

210 E. 64th St.

8th Floor

New York, NY 10065

Tel: (212)605-3719

Fax: (212)605-3795

Email: association@retinal-research.org

Website: http://www.macula.org/

AutoImmunity Community

Website: https://www.facebook.com/autoimmunityforum

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

NIH/National Eye Institute

31 Center Dr

MSC 2510

Bethesda, MD 20892-2510

United States

Tel: (301)496-5248

Fax: (301)402-1065

Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov

Website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation

5 Cambridge Center

8th Floor

Cambridge, MA 2142

Tel: (617)621-6377

Fax: (781)431-2042

Tel: (866)353-6377

Email: fosters@comcast.net

Website: http://www.uveitis.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 10/27/2008Copyright 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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